Handcuff.



PATBNTED SEPT. 15, 1903.

HANDGUFP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. so, 1903.

no 140mm.

Elnmzufoz with a suitable lock 3.

UNITED STATES iatented September 1 5, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

HANDCUFF.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,983,- dated. September 15, 1903.

Application filed March 30, 1903- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, NELSON A. BURDICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sault Ste. Marie, in the county of Chippewa and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Handcuffs, of which the following is a specifl cation.

My invention relates to handcuffs.

The object of my invention is to produce a device of this character that will not become accidentally locked, and, further, to produce a handcufif that will take up less room when in use; and with these objects my invention consists of the parts and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pair of handcuffs constructed according to my invention with the grip-handle attached thereto, and Fig. 2 is a detail view of the grip-handle detached.

1 represents a bracelet composed of a suitable chain, whereby the same is flexible, one end of the bracelet being provided with a lock member 2, while the other member is provided 4 is another bracelet constructed the same as the one just described, and 5 is a flexible chain connecting the two bracelets. It will be noted that the lock and lockingmember are of a characterwherebythe locking member can be snapped into the lock 3, whereby the bracelet is locked in closed position.

6 is a hand-grip or detachable hand-grip having an arm 8 at the outer end of which is formed a snap-hook 7. As shown in Fig. 1, this snap-hook is adapted to engage the links of the connecting-chain 5.

This device is not onlya combined handcuff and detachable hand-grip, but is an improvement in the handcufl' per se. The fact that it is made of a flexible chain insures against the free ends of the bracelet becoming locked accidentally while in the pocket of the officer or other person carrying it. The fault of the old-style handcufif, notwithstanding any safety device that maybe attached to it, is that by reason of its rigid structure it frequently happens that the cuff becomes Serial No. 150,186. (No model.)

locked accidentally in the pocket of the oflicer. It is impossible for this chain-cuff to lock accidentally, as the chain is flexible and the tendency of the locking member and lock by reason of their weight would be to assume a position parallel with each other rather tha in line with each other.

Another advantage of this improved chain cuff is that it takes up less room and is cheaper to manufacture.

In the use of this improved handcuff there is no danger of pinching the fingers, as in the old-style or rigid cuif.

The device shown may be used simply as a handcuff; but if it is desired to use it as a combined handcufE the detachable hand-grip 6 is secured to the chain 5 by means of the snap hook 7 and remains thus engaged against accidental displacement until intentionally removed by operating the snap-hook 7, said grip having arms 8. Thus should the grip be dropped in a struggle it will remain at all times on the handcuff, or'rather on the chain connecting the handcuffs, whereas in the ordinary and heretofore-used detachable hand-grip any relaxation of the hand upon the grip would permit the grip to fall from the prisoner.

Having thus described the invention, the following is what is claimed as new therein:

1. A handcuif comprising a flexible chain, and a hand-grip detachably secured to said chain.

2. A handcuff comprising a pair of bracelets of flexible chain, the respective free ends of which are providedwith a locking member anda lock adapted to engage each other, a flexible chain connecting said bracelet, and a hand-grip provided with a snap-hook adapted to be detachably secured to said connectingchain.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NELSON A. BURDIOK. 

